I greatly prefer a wider hone (2.5" +) as I find it is much easier to assure even pressure across the full length of the blade. I only hone my own blades, most of which are 7/8 and above and slightly heavy. I know that many skilled honers can accomplish this on a 1" wide hone but I find it is simply less effort on a wider hone. I personally feel that if narrow hones were more desirable to the masses, synthetics would be commonly available in 1-2" widths.